Feeding mechanisms for drilling machines



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Dec. 19, 1961 F. HUHN FEEDING MECHANISMS FOR DRILLING MACHINES 8Sheets$heet 6 Filed Dec. 30, 1957 I NV EN TOR. [79/72 .6444

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FEEDING MECHANISMS FOR DRILLING MACHINES Filed Dec. 30, 1957 8Sheets-Sheet 8 INVENTOR.

ATTOFA/[K United States Patent Patented Dec. 19,

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application,Serial No. 569,665 filed March 5, 1956.

This invention relates to a mechanism for feeding articles at a feedingstation into a receptacle for the article which is advanced to thefeeding station and then removed from the feeding station.

It is particularly adapted for the feeding of elongated articles of morethan one diameter into such receptacle.

It has been particularly designed for the feeding of bolts and screwsand other headed fasteners.

In my previous application, Serial No. 569,665, new Patent No.2,857,788, I have described a machine for drilling holes in the heads ofscrews.

In this machine the screws held in a magazine are fed in a row to afilling station. At this station an escapement mechanism feeds thescrews one at a time to and a shuttle mechanism transfers the screwsinto a notch positioned in a dial. The dial is rotated into the fillingposition. It is held in such position while a shuttle inserts the screwinto its receiving notch and a gripping mechanism holds the screw in thenotch. The screw is oriented in position for subsequent operation. Thedial is then rotated to advance a second notch to receive a screw and asthe dial rotates, drilling and other operations are caused to beperformed with respect to the screw at its various stations.

The invention of this application relates to an improved escapement andshuttle mechanism. For this reason, the drilling machine, more fullydescribed in my said copending application, will be described onlysufficiently to describe the construction and operation of my newescapement and shuttle mechanism and its functions in relating to therest of the drilling machine. For further details of the drillingmachine, reference is hereby made to my copending application which ishereby incorporated in this specification as if fully set forth in thisapplication.

It is an object of my invention to devise an ,cscapement and shuttlemechanism which is capable of fast operation and which will be positivein action.

It is a further object of my invention to devise an escapement andshuttle mechanism which is adjustable to permit its use with screws andbolts of various diameters and head diameters and heights.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully described inconnection with the drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section with parts in elevation and parts omittedfor clarity of showing of the drilling machine employed in my invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of FIG. 1 on line 2-2 of .FI

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section on line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section taken on line 66 of FIG. 1; 7

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary section taken on line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. '7;

FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a view in section and partly in elevation taken on line 1010of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a section taken on line 1111 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 12 is a section, with parts in elevation, taken through thesupporting plates for the shuttle and escapement mechanism positioned bythe plates 53 and 52 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an end view of FIG. 12 taken on line 13 13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a section taken on line 1414 of FIG. 12;

shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end view of FIG. 14 taken on line 16*.

16 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a section taken on line 1717 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a view partly in section taken along line I8I8 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 19 is a view, partly schematic, showing the shuttle and escapementposition corresponding to FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is similar to FIG. 18 showing a further position of levers shownin FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a schematic showing of the shuttle position corresponding toFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is another position of the levers shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a schematic showing of the shuttle position corresponding toFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is the same position as shown in FIG. 20;

FIG. 25 is a schematic showing of the shuttle position corresponding toFIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary section taken on line 26-26 of FIG. 28 withparts omitted for clarity of showing;

FIG. 28 is a view taken on line 28-28 of FIG. 27. As is more fullydescribed in my copending application, the screws to be drilled,designated by the numeral 1 are placed in a. hopper 2 (see FIGS. 1 2 and3). The hopper 2 has a downwardly inclined bottom 3 (see 5 permittingthe screws to pass by gravity toward an open portion 4 of the hopperinto the drum 5.

The drum 5 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 6 positioned in a'bearingsleeve 7 on plate 8. The rotatable drum 5 is open at its side 9 adjacentthe opening 4 on the inner side of the hopper 2. About the innerperiphery of drum 5 are positioned a series of spaced vanes 1t)connected at one end to the drum.

As the drum rotates, the screws are tumbled and a portion of the screwsfall into an inclined and downwardly sloping pan 11 connected at itslower end to a guide 12.

The screws pass down the inclined pan 11 to the upper end of theinclined guide 12 formed by two vertical parallel plates or rails 13::and 13b, spaced sufiiciently apart by means of spacer bracket 124 (FIG.27), to receive the shank of each screw 1. Those screws which fail todrop from the lower end of pan 11 with their shanks down in positionbetween the plates 13a and 13b of guide 12, fall back down into thebottom of the hopper or the drum 5. A baffle 15 connected at its upperend to a hinge 16 mounted on plate 17, prevents ejection of any screwsout of the hopper by the action of the rotating drum 5. A second baflle18 is fastened to a plate of guide 12, to aid in guiding the screws intoguide 12.

The screws descend by gravity down the guideway 12 to be introduced intonotches provided in a'dial mechanism which grips the screws and as thedial is rotated the screw is moved from station to station where thehead of the screw is drilled with a bore perpendicular to the screwdriver slot in the head of the screw.

The dial mechanism, and the drilling mechanism illus;

trated in this specification is fully described in my copendingapplication. It will be referred to here only as it relates to andelucidates the function of the improve- FIG. 27 is a section taken online 27-27 of FIG.

ment of my invention forming the subject matter of this application.

The particular feature is a novel mechanism whereby one screw at a timeis advanced to the position, termed the filling position, at whichposition means are provided to transport the screw into the receivingnotch in the dial. The device for feeding the screws one at a time istermed the escapement mechanism and the transport mechanism is termedthe shuttle.

Means are also provided to adjust the guide, the escapement and theshuttle to guide and insert screws of various sizes into the notches inthe dial.

These will be more fully described below.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the dial, indicated generally by thenumeral 19, is in the form of a disc having an outer peripheral flangein which are cut 10 spaced notches 21, at equal intervals about theperipheral flange 20, each notch being located 36 away from the adjacentnotch. In each of notches 21, referring also to FIGS. 6 to 10, islocated chuck 22. It will be noted that the screw 1 which is to bedrilled, when inserted into the chuck 22, is supported therein bycontact of the lower surface of the head of the screw with the uppersurface 23 of the chuck and with a lug 24, the shank of the screwextending downwardly into the chuck recess 25. Further, it will be notedthat the chucks 22 can accommodate screws of different lengths since theshank of the screw, as indicated in FIG. 10, can hang below the lowerend of the chuck recess 25 and within the inner periphery '26 of flange20 adjacent the inner face 27 of the dial. Directly below and spacedfrom the bottom of each of the notches 21 in the dial is a slot 28passing completely through the disc from one face thereof to the other.

A series of slots 29 (see FIG. 6) having about the same depth as thenotches 21, are cut into the outer periphery of the dial, each of slots29 extending from the opposite face 30 of the dial and communicatingwith a notch 21 in the flange 20. Positioned for pivotal movement ineach of the slots 29 in the dial 19 is a gripper member 31 which ispivoted on a screw 32 passing radially into the dial and extendingthrough the slot 28 below each of the notches 21. The gripper 31 is inthe shape of a fork having gripper arm 33, the outer end of which isshaped to form a hook 34.

It is noted that the gripper arm 33 is disposed in slot 29 below theouter periphery of the dial as seen particularly in FIG. 6. The hook 34of each gripper 31 passes through the cut-away portion 35 of theadjacent chuck and beneath the lug 24 thereon, for gripping the shank ofa screw positioned in the chuck as described above. The screw 32 has areduced portion 198 and the gripper 31 is locked onto the screw 32 toprevent longitudinal movement of the gripper along the screw, by meansof a snap ring 37, which can be snapped around said reduced portion ofthe screw, into the slot 38 in the bifurcated lug of the gripper 31.Vertical adjustment of the gripper 31 on the pivot screw 32 is providedto raise or lower the gripping hook 34 of the gripper in slot 29, thusproviding adjustment of the hook 34, for engagement with screws ofvarying sizes disposed in the chucks 22.

The outer end 39 of each of the grippers 31 (see FIG. 7) is providedwith a recess 40 which receives the ball end 41 of a plunger 42. Theplunger is telescoped into the tube 43 which is mounted on a ball andsocket 44 on post 45 fixed to the rear face 30 of the dial 19, near theouter periphery thereof. The spring 46 urges the gripper 31 clockwise asseen on FIG. 7 to grip the shank of a screw 1 positioned in the chuck22, as seen in FIG. 9.

A rod 47 actuates each of the gripper numbers 31 (see FIGS. 1, 7 to 9).The rod 47 extends through hearing plates 48, 49 and 50 (FIG. 1), and isheld in position at its opposite end in an inclined slot formed in anend member 50 of the machine. Plate 49 is provided with a curved bearingsurface for receiving rod 47 and permitting rocking motion of the rod.Rod 47 has a fiat portion which is received in an inclined slot in plate48 which slot is substantially parallel to the first mentioned slot inplate 50. These slots permit rocking motion of the ends of rod 47 on thecurved bearing surface.

Just before the screw is urged by the shuttle plate into position in thechuck 22 at the screw feeding or loading station of the dial 19 (as willbe more fully described below), the rod adjacent the gripper 31 is movedor rocked in a direction shown by arrow 51 in FIG. 7, by movement of theopposite end of rod 47. The movement is controlled by timing andactuating mechanism, more fully described in my copending application,to contact the arm of the gripper 31, forcing the same to pivot in acounter-clockwise direction about pivot screw 32 and against the actionof spring 46, to the position shown in FIG. 7, with the hook 34 of thegripper retracted sufficiently out of the chuck recess 25 to permit thescrew to be introduced into the chuck 22 by the shuttle mechanism as isdescribed below.

The cam shaft 54 is mounted in plates 49, 48, 53 and 52 and carries,among other cams, the cam 55 which operates the lever 56 which actuatesthe rod 47. The cam 57 is mounted on the cam shaft 54 exteriorly of theplate 52 on the plate extension 53 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 13).

The cam follower 59 is mounted at the end of a lever 60 which ishingedly mounted on pin 61 positioned in the block 62. The block 62 isadjustably mounted in the bracket 63, mounted on plate 52, between thescrew 64 positioned in the plate 52 and the screw 65 positioned in thehead of the bracket 63.

The lower end of the lever 60 terminates in a fork 66 which embraces arod 67 (see FIGS. l2l4) as will be more fully described below.

The sleeve 68 formed with the flange 69, has its opposite end formedwith a reduced cross section at 70. The sleeve fits into bores 71a and71b in plates 52 and 53. The bore 71a is larger in diameter than thecomplementary diameter of 68 and the bore 71b is of diameter larger thanthe complementary diameter at 70. Diametrically positioned flats areprovided on surfaces of and the clamping plate 72 also provided withcomplementary flats is mounted on the reduced portion and the plate 72and flange 69 are clamped against the faces of plates 52 and 53 by meansof the through bolts.

As will be seen from FIG. 14, the portion 70 of reduced diameterprotrudes beyond the clamping plate 72 to a position adjacent the dial19. The protruding portion is notched at a diametric plane 73 and at achordal plane 74 perpendicular to the plane 73. Adjacent the end 75 ofthe sleeve 68 is a transverse notch 76 (see FIG. 15) which is formed inboth surfaces of the sleeve in the chordal plane 74. A bore 77 ispositioned axially aligned on a diameter perpendicular to the chordalplane 74. The exterior surface of the sleeve adjacent the bore 77 isflattened as is shown at 78 (see FIGS. 14 and 15). Longitudinally spacedfrom the bore 77 is a second bore 79. A bushing 80 notched and bored toconform with the sleeve is fitted into the end of the sleeve.

The rod 67 is formed with three diameters. The smallest diameter 81extends exteriorly of the bushing and plate 52 and carries the shuttleactuating plate 84 held against the step 85 by the retaining nut 86 (seeFIG. 14). The section 82 of the rod 67 is journaled in the bearing inthe bearing retainer 87 mounted on the flange 69. The fork 66 is heldbetween the retainer 87 and the shuttle actuating plate 84. The portion83 of larger diameter is journaled in the bushing 80. A spring 90 ispositioned between the washer 89 abutting the step 88 and the bearingretainer 87.

The outer end of the rod 67 terminates inside the sleeve 68 and bushing80 and is formed with an end notch 91 carrying a transverse slot 92 anda diametric bore 93 and an axially aligned counter bore 94. The shuttleplate 95 fits into the notch 91 with the boss 96 fitting into thetransverse slot 92. The screw 96a is positioned in the bore 93 and 94 tohold the shuttle plate securely in the slot 91. The screw retainer plate97 is positioned in transverse slot 76, on screw 98 passing through thebore 77. The mounting of the plate 97 and shuttle plate 95 is easilyaccomplished by retracting the rod 67 until the bore 94 is aligned withbore 79, whereupon the shuttle plate having been placed in position thescrew 96a is inserted. With the shuttle plate so retracted the plate 97is placed in position and the screw 98 inserted, and the plate 97 isthus positioned to permit the shuttle plate to slide over the plate 97.

The adjusting rod 99 having a cylindrical surface journaled in theplates 52 and 53 carries eccentrically positioned cylindrical ends 100and 101 positioned respectively in slots 100" in the fiange 69 and slots101 in the clamping plate 72 (see FIG. 16).

The escapement actuating rod 102 is slideably positioned in bores inplates 52 and 53. The end 103 protruding beyond plate 52 and through anotch in 69 carries a pin 104 and a stop nut 105 (see FIGS. 12 and 17).The opposite end 106 is notched at 107 and holds the hook 108 by meansof the screw 109 passing through slot 115 in the hook 108. The Spring110 is positioned about rod 102 between the plate 52 and a springretainer 111 positioned on 102. The spring retainer 111 is mounted onrod 102 by a set screw not shown and is bored to receive the rod 114which passes through bores in plates 53 and 52. The spring retainer isheld in position on the rod 114 by the set screw 113.

The shuttle actuating rod 67 and the escapement actuating rod 102 areoperated via the shuttle actuating plate 84 mounted on the shuttleactuating rod. The plate 84 is bored with a bore 116. Hingedly mountedon plate 84 at hinge 117 is the escapement actuating lever 118 which inturn is formed with a slotted end 118'. The pin 104 passes through theslot 118". The lever 118 is bored at 119' and carries the screw 120 andnut 121. The screw passes through the bore 116 and is directed towardsthe stop pin 119 positioned in the bearing retainer 87 (see FIGS. 12 and18).

The functioning of the escapement and shuttle mechanism will be furtherdescribed by reference to the position diagrams FIGS. 18 and 19 whichshow the shuttle 95, escapement hook 108 and the dial notch 21 in theposition to receive a screw (see FIGS. 6 and 7). FIG. 20 and FIG. 21show the second stage of advance of the shuttle. FIG. 22 and FIG. 23show the shuttle in the advanced position for insertion of the screwinto the notch. FIGS. 24 and 25 show the shuttle partly re tracted, theposition of the lever 84 and 118 being in the position shown in FIG. 20and the shuttle in the position of FIG. 21 but showing the readyposition of the next screw for insertion as shown on FIG. 19 whichfollows to start the next cycle.

Referring to FIGS. 12, 18 and 19, the cam 57 has rocked the lever sothat the fork 66 has moved the shuttle actuating plate 84 to the rightinto the position shown in FIG. 18 thus compressing the spring 90 (FIG.14) and moving the shuttle plate 95 over the screw retainer plate 97 andunder the end of the guide plate 130. In this position the spring 110has retracted the rod 102 with the stop nut 105 against the plate 52.

The hook 108 is thus advanced over the face of the guide plate 13a andunderneath the head of the screw thus holding back the row of screws inthe guide 12. A

screw has previously been fed by the previous cycle, as i will bedescribed below, and deposited onto the screw retainer plate 97 and thusaligned with the notch 21.

The continued rotation of the cam now rocks the lever 60 to the left(see FIG. 12) and the spring 90 causes the rod 67 to be moved to theleft thus advancing the shuttle plate 95 underneath the end of the guideplate 13b and closing the space between the guide plates 13a and 1312.This action advances the screw 1 under the end of the guide plate 131)in preparation for insertion of the screw into the notch 21.

It will be noted that in moving to this position the lever 118 haspivoted on pin 104 and 117 to the vertical position where the screw 120is in contact with the end of the stop pin 119, but, due to the factthat lever 118 is fr e floa g, t a it o o c to d, .02 an no movement ofthe rod 102 has occurred until screw 120 abuts pin 119 (see FIG. 20)about which it then pivots, as described below. This free floatingaction of lever 118 accounts for the rest position of the escapementhook during the translation of the shuttle plate from the position shownin FIG. 19 to the position shown in FIG. 21. The continued movement ofthe shuttle actuating rod 67 under the urging of spring moves the rod 67to the left. The screw 133 on the shuttle actuating plate 84 comesagainst the flange 69, as will be more fully described below. Thisarrests the leftward motion of the rod 67 (see FIG. 22).

It will be observed that in the passage from the position shown on FIG.20 to the position shown in FIG. 22, the screw 120 abuts the end of thepin 119, thus causing the lever 118 to fulcrum on 117 and withdrawingthe escapement actuating rod 102 to the right compress.- ing the spring110 (FIG. 17). This motion thus has caused rod 67 to advance shuttleplate to the ex.- treme left position ('FIG. 23) causing theintroduction of the screw 1 into the notch 21. At the same time theescapement hook 108 has been withdrawn to the right.

by rod 102. This permits the line of screws to advance until they arestopped by the shuttle plate 95.

The cam 57 continuing its rotation, the lever 60 is again rocked so thatits fork 66 repeats its travel to the right pushing the shuttleactuating plate to the right, to the position as shown in FIG. 24, lever118 rocking on the screw 120, the rod 102 having been retracted to theleft under the force of the compressed spring 110.

The resultant position of the escapement hook 108 and the shuttle plate95 is shown in FIG. 25. The escapement hook has moved under the next tothe last screw and the shuttle plate has taken the position shown inFIG. 21. The continued rotation of the cam and the movement of the fork66 to the right (FIG. 12) causes the further outward movement of the rod67, to the position shown in FIG. 18, the lever 118 fulcruming asdescribed in connection with FIG. 18. When the shuttle plate has beenretracted to the position of FIG. 1 9,-the last screw falls into theposition as described in connection with FIG. 19 for the repetition ofthe cycle.

During the period of movement of the shuttle plate from the position ofFIG. 22 to the position of FIG. 24, the rod 47 is rocked to the right(viewing FIG. 8), thus causing the spring 46 to extend the plunger 42 torock the gripper 31 so that the hook 34 grips the screw 1, and then therod 47 is retracted by the cam 55 and lever 56 (see FIG. 1). The dial isthereafter rotated 36 during the period between movement of the shuttleplate from the position shown in FIG. 23 back to the position shown inFIG. 19. The rotation of the dial thus ad.- vances the notch with thescrew gripped therein to the first drilling station and moves an emptynotch into the screw receiving position.

The dial 19 (see FIG. 1) is mounted for step-wise rotation by indexplate 122 to which the dial 19 is con: nected for rotation with theindex plate.

The .dial actuating mechanism includes an index plate 122 having tenequally spaced holes therein. A mating plate 123 containing ten equallyspaced pins is aligned with .the holes in the index plate and positionedfor slid? able mating engagement with said holes. Plate 123 is free tomove axially and rotatably.

The mating plate is moved into engagement with the index plate, rotated36- to rotate the dial plate and then withdrawn by suitable cam andlever arrangements more fully described in my copending application,Serial No. 569,665.

Suitable drive mechanism, cams and other timing and actuating mechanismare provided as is more fully described in my aforesaid copendingapplication Serial No. 569,665.

A very useful feature of the escapement and shuttle mechanism of mypresent invention are the features of adjustability which permit thefeeding of screws of various head and shank diameters and head heightsinto the dial notches 21. It will be observed that the dial notch andgripper will permit the entry of various diameter screws by provision ofsuitable screw receiving chucks 22 positioned in the notches 21. (SeeFIGS. 6 and 7 and my copending application for further description ofthis feature.)

In order to process screws of various sizes, the guide plates 13a and13b (FIGS. 3 and 19) are made adjustable to accommodate various sizes ofscrews 1. The position of the hook 108 and the travel of the escapementactuating rod 102 is made adjustable to fit various head diameters sothat the hook can take the positions as shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 25 toengage the head of screw 1 and in the position of FIG. 23 to clear thehead of the screw 1 directly above.

The level of the top of the shuttle plate 95 and the screw retainerplate 97 are made adjustable so that for various sizes of screws, thefunctions and position of the shuttle plate as previously described inconnection with FIGS. 19, 21, 23 and 25 may be made possible. For thispurpose the initial and final positions of the stroke of the shuttleplate 95, as well as its relative position with respect to the end ofthe guide plates 13a and 13b and with respect to the plate 97 isadjusted.

The adjustments previously stated are obtained in the preferredembodiment described in this application as is more fully stated below.

The guide plates 13a and 13b are mounted on the U shaped bracket 124(see FIG. 27). The bracket 124 is mounted on the step 125 in the pocket126 out into plate 53 (see FIGS. 26, 27 and 28). Slots 127 are cut intothe plate 53 and studs 128 are passed through the slots 127. Studs 130pass through slots 129 positioned in the mounting lug 13' attached toguide plate 13a and pass at right angles to the studs 128.

By moving the plate 13a right or left (see FIGS. 27 and 28), throughadjustment of studs 130, the relative position of the guide plate 13amay be adjusted with respect to the guide plate 13b to permit thefeeding of various diameter screws down the guide 12.

The relative position of the ends of the guide plates 13a and 13b withrespect to the shuttle plate 95 may also be adjusted by means of theslots 127 and studs 128. The insertion of the shuttle plate 95 into thesocket 91 and the screw retainer plate 97 (see FIG. 14) has beendescribed previously. The plate 95 is chosen of the proper thickness andwidth and the plate 97 is of the proper dimensions to fit into thereceiving grooves and sockets as described above. They are of thedimensions to conform to the screw diameter, head diameter and height sothat the screws may take the positions shown in FIGS. 19, 21 and 23. Thehead of the screw in moving through the various positions passes overthe coplanar surfaces formed by the sides of the ends of the guideplates 13a and 13b and the ends of the shuttle when it is in theposition shown in FIG. 23 and over the side of the shuttle plate 95 andover the end of the screw retainer plate 97, and the shank of the screwmoves between the ends of the guide plates 13a and 13b and screwretainer plate as the screw moves through its various positions as shownin FIGS. 21, 23 and 25.

A further adjustment of the relative position of the ends of the guideplates 13a and 13b with respect to the shuttle plate 95 is provided bythe eccentrics 100 and 101 on the shaft 99. By loosening screws 73'(FIG. 16) and turning rod 99, the eccentrics moving in slots 100 in theflange 69 and 101 in the clamping plate, cause the shuttle plateassembly mounted in sleeve 68 to rock in the over-size bores 71:: and711; (see FIG. 14). This adjustment moves the shuttle plate and thescrew retainer plate to or away from the ends of the guide plates 13aand 1312. This adjusts the spacing between the ends of the guide plates13a and 13b and the face of the screw retainer plate to the dimensionproper to receive and pass the screw (see FIG. 21) and to permit theshuttle plate to slide between the end of the guide plates and the topsurface of the screw retainer plate 97 (see FIG. 21).

The adjustments previously described does not affect the position of theescapement hook 108. The rod 102 to which the hook is attached passesthrough a notch in the flange 69 (see FIG. 13) and thus is not affectedby the rocking of the sleeve 68.

To adjust the position of the hook 108 so that it will engage the headof the screw when moved to the position of FIGS. 19, 21 and 25, the hookis adjusted on the screw 109 passing through the slot 115 in hook 108and into end 106 of the rod 102, numeral 131 being a guiding shoulderfor the hook, formed by notch 107.

The stroke of the shuttle and the escapement hook and the terminalpositions at both ends of these strokes are adjusted as will bedescribed below.

The shuttle actuating plate 84 carries an extension 132 in which ismounted an adjustment screw 133 which limits the travel of the shuttleactuating plate 84 by contact of screw 133 with flange 69, as will beseen from FIGS. 12 and 22 and thus the amount of advance of the shuttleto the charging position as Will be seen from FIG. 23. The forwardrnostretracted position of the shuttle plate (see FIGS. 18 and 19) iscontrolied by the stroke of the fork 66 and the position of the fulcrum61.

The stroke of the fork is determined by the lever ratio of 60 and by thedesign of the cam 57 as will be understood by those skilled in this art.The position of the fulcrum pin 61 is adjusted by adjusting screws 64and 65 which move the block 62 in the bracket 63 and thus the positionof the fulcrum pin.

The stroke of the escapement actuating rod and the position of theterminii of its stroke is determined by the position of the stop nutfrom the plate 52 which determines the terminus of its travel towardsthe guide 12 (see FIGS. 12, 18 and 19). The terminus of its travel awayfrom the guide 12 (see FIGS. 22 and 23) is determined by adjusting screwwhich determines the angular deflection of the lever 118 in travelingfrom the position of FIG. 20 to the position of FIG. 22. Thus theconnection formed of pin 104 and slot 118" acts as a free floating loosepivotal connection during the travel of the lever 118 until the end ofthe screw 120 abuts on pin 119. Thereafter the connection between theplate 84 and the rod 102 is a positive connection, the lever 118 hingingon hinge 117, pivoting at the end of screw 120 and the resultant angularmotion of the lever 118 is transformed into a rectilinear motion of therod 102 by means of the slot 118" and pin 104 without binding. Theposition of the hook with respect to the guide plate 13a is madeadjustable by means of the adjusting nut 105 mounted on the threadedportion of 102. This adjustment complements the adjustment of the hookin notch 107 to position the hook for engagement of the screw size toconform to the adjustment of the guideway as described above.

It will be observed that the angular position of the lever 118 at whichthe connection is transformed from a free floating connection to apositive connection is determined by adjustment of the length of thescrew 120 which protrudes through the shuttle actuating plate 84. Thistherefore adjusts the period of travel of the rod 67 during which therod 102 is at rest. This determines the stroke of the rod 102 away fromthe guide 12.

While I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention forpurposes of illustration thereof, it is to be understood that variousmodifications and adaptations thereof may be made within the spirit ofthe invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

a 1. An escapement and shuttle mechanism suitable for feeding screws,which comprises a guideway adapted to receive and guide screws to afilling station, a screw retainer plate positioned at said fillingstation and spaced from the end of said guideway, a shuttle platepositioned for reciprocating movement between said screw retainer plateand the end of said guideway, an escapement member positioned at saidguideway and spaced from the end of said guideway, a shuttle plateactuating rod con nected to said shutte plate, an escapement actuatingrod connected to said escapement member, means for reciprocating saidshuttle plate actuating rod, means for reciprocating said escapementactuating rod, said last named means including a free floating leverconnection between said shuttle plate actuating rod and said escapementactuating rod, means for transforming said free floating leverconnection into a positive motion connection between said rods, saidlast mentioned means including an abutment means causing pivotal motionof said free floating lever connection on said abutment means afteradvance of said shuttle plate past the end of said guideway, saidpivotal motion of said free floating connection on said abutment meanstaking place during continued advance of said shuttle plate, and in adirection to retract said escapement member away from said guideway.

2. In the mechanism of claim 1, said free floating lever connectioncomprising a lever hingedly mounted on said shuttle plate actuating rod,a loose pivotal connection between said last named lever and saidescapement actuating rod, said last named lever pivoting angularly onsaid shuttle plate actuating rod on reciprocation thereof.

3. In the mechanism of claim 1, said means for transforming said freefloating lever connection into a positive motion connection between saidrods including an adjustable screw mounted on said lever, said abutmentcomprising a fixed pin mounted adjacent to said screw, said screwcontacting said pin on a predetermined amount of angular pivotalmovement of said lever after advance of said shuttle plate past the endof said guideway, producing a positive motion connection between saidrods on continued angular movement of said lever, to retract saidescapement member away from said guideway.

4. In the mechanism of claim 1, means for adjusting the position of theends of the reciprocatory travel of said shuttle plate actuating rod andmeans for adjusting the position of the ends of the reciprocatory travelof said escapement actuating rod.

5. In the mechanism of claim 1, said guideway comprising a pair ofspaced guide plates, and means for adjusting the spacing of said screwretainer plate from the ends of said guide plates.

6. In the mechanism of claim 1, said guideway comprising a pair ofspaced guide plates, a bracket mounting said guide plates, a mountinglug on one of said guide plates, slots in said lug, adjustable studspassing through said slots and engaging said lug and said bracket, saidslots being oversize with respect to said studs and permitting movementof said lug on adjustment of said studs for changing the relativeposition of said one If said guide plates with respect to the otherguide plate, and means for adjusting the spacing of said screw retainerplate from the ends of said guide plates.

7. In the mechanism of claim 1, said reciprocating means for saidshuttle plate actuating rod comprising a sleeve, said shuttle plateactuating rod passing through and reciprocably mounted in said sleeve, aspring mounted in said sleeve, a motion transmitting connection betweensaid shuttle plate actuating rod and said spring, means for supportingsaid sleeve, a cam, a cam follower for said cam, a lever connected tosaid cam follower at 10 one end of said lever, motion transmitting meansbetween the other end of said lever and said shuttle actuating rod, apivot for said last named lever intermediate the ends of said lever.

8, In the mechanism of claim 7 means for supporting said pivot and meansfor adjusting the position of said pivot on said supporting means.

9. In the mechanism of claim 7, said guideway comprising a pair ofspaced guide plates, means for adjusting the spacing between said guideplates and means for adjusting the spacing of said screw retainer platefrom the ends of said guide plates.

10. In the mechanism of claim 7, means for positioning said screwretainer plate in said sleeve at one end there of adjacent said guidewayand spaced from the end of said guideway, means for removablypositioning said shun tle plate at the end of said shuttle plateactuating rod between said screw retainer plate and-the end of saidguideway.

11. An escapement and shuttle mechanism suitable for feeding screwswhich comprises a guideway adapted to receive and guide screws to afilling station, a sleeve, means for supporting said sleeve, with oneend of said sleeve adjacent said filling station, means for positioninga screw retaining plate at said one end of said sleeve and spaced fromthe end of said guideway, a rod reciprocably mounted in said sleeve, ashuttle plate removably mounted at one end of said rod adjacent saidfirst mentioned end of said sleeve between the end of said guideway andsaid screw retainer plate, an escapement member positioned at saidguideway and adapted to arrest the motion of screws in said guideway, anescapement actu: ating rod connected to said escapement member, meansfor reciprocably mounting said escapement actuating rod, means toreciprocate said shuttle plate actuating rod, a free floating leverconnection between said rods and means for transforming said freefloating lever connection into a positive motion connection, said lastmentioned means comprising a stop member and a fixed abutment, said stopmember being mounted on said free floating lever, said stop member beingnormally spaced from said abutment but engageable therewith onoscillation of said free floating lever toward said abutment, said stopmember engaging said abutment after advance of said shuttle plate onsaid shuttle plate actuating rod past the end of said guideway, saidfree floating lever pivoting on said abutment during continued advanceof said shuttle plate, and in a direction to retract said escapementmember away from said guideway.

12. In the mechanism of claim 11, means for adjusting the ends of thereciprocatory travel of said shuttle plate actuating rod and means foradjusting the position of the ends of the reciprocatory travel of saidescapement actuating rod.

13. In the mechanism of claim 11, said means for reciprocating saidshuttle plate actuating rod comprising a spring mounted in said sleeveand a motion transmitting connection between said spring and shuttleplate actuating rod, a cam, a cam follower for said cam, a leverconnected to said cam follower at one end of said lever, a shuttleactuating plate mounted on said shuttle plate actuating rod, a motiontransmitting means between the other end of said lever and said shuttleactuating plate, a pivot for said last named lever intermediate the endsof said lever, said free floating lever being hingedly mounted on saidshuttle actuating plate, a loose pivotal connection between said lastnamed lever and said escapement actuating rod, said last named leverpivoting angularly on said shuttle actuating plate on reciprocationthereof, a stop connected to said shuttle actuating plate, a fixedplate, said stop contacting said fixed plate to arrest the angularmotion of said free floating lever at a predetermined point in thetravel of said shuttle plate actuating rod, said free floating leverpivoting on said abutment during continued advance of said shuttleplate, said 1 1 free floating lever retracting said escapement actuatingrod and said escapement member during pivotal motion of said lastmentioned lever on said abutment.

14. In the mechanism of claim 13, wherein said loose pivotal connectionis a pin and slot connection, said stop member mounted on said freefloating lever is an adjustable screw and said abutment is a fixed pin,the end of said screw contacting and pivoting on the end of said pinafter said advance of said shuttle plate past the end of said guideway.

15. An escapement and shuttle mechanism suitable for feeding screwswhich comprises a guideway adapted to receive and guide screws to afilling station, a sleeve, means for supporting said sleeve, with oneend of said sleeve adjacent said filling station, means for positioninga screw retaining plate at said one end of said sleeve and spaced fromthe end of said guideway, a rod reciprocably mounted in said sleeve, ashuttle plate removably mounted at one end of said rod adjacent saidfirst mentioned end of said sleeve between the end of said guideway andsaid screw retainer plate, an adjustable escapement hook positioned atsaid guideway and adapted to arrest the motion of screws in saidguideway, an escapement actuating rod connected to said adjustableescapement hook, means for reciprocably mounting said escapementactuating rod, a spring mounted in said sleeve and a motion transmittingconnection between said spring and shuttle plate actuating rod, a secondspring, a motion transmitting connection between said second spring andsaid escapement actuating rod, a cam, a cam follower for said cam, alever connected to said cam follower at one end of said lever, anactuating plate mounted at the other end of said shuttle plate actuatingrod, the other end of said lever being in motion transmitting engagementwith said actuating plate, a pivot for said last named leverintermediate the ends of said lever, a second lever hingedly mounted onsaid actuating plate, a loose pivotal connection between said last namedlever and said escapement actuating rod, said last named lever pivotingangularly on said shuttle plate actuating rod and said actuating plateon reciprocation of said plate and last named rod, a stop mounted onsaid actuating plate, a fixed member, said stop adapted to abut saidfixed member to arrest the motion of said shuttle plate actuating rod,an adjustable stop screw on said second lever inermediate the endsthereof, a fixed pin, said stop screw being normally spaced from saidpin but engageable therewith on angular motion of said second levertoward said pin, said second stop screw engaging said pin after advanceof said shuttle plate past the end of said guideway, said second leverpivoting on said pin during continued advance of said shuttle plate,said second lever retracting said escapement actuating rod and saidescapement hook during angular motion of said second lever on said pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,254,176 Thorsell Jan. 22, 1918 1,334,326 Strane Mar. 23, 19201,517,139 Wilcox Nov. 25, 1924 1,623,066 Nordstrom Apr. 5, 19271,865,293 Andrews et al June 28, 1932 1,966,056 Wilcox et al July 10,1934 2,271,028 Olson Jan. 27, 1942 2,564,139 Ward et al. Aug. 14, 19512,670,858 Brink et al Mar. 2, 1954 2,760,618 Eason Aug. 28, 19562,786,374 Sharpe Mar. 26, 1957

